Official Workout/Fitness Thread (Re-born)

[pancakes3]

my friend swears by durants, and now i do too. they're awesome.

[dobrojim]

I picked up a pair of generic nikes at Modell's last night. $50.

Then went to the Y and got in one pickup game before the
gym got turned over to the volleyball folks. Actually was
2-2 from the floor although my team lost.

I'm hoping to get up there for games on a semi-reg basis.

[pancakes3]

i love using pickup volleyball as a warmup/cooldown whenever the opportunity allows for it.

[dobrojim]

I used to play V-ball from time to time. At one time I had a big rep
for making the nicest sets on the court.

last night - warm up shoot around for 10 min or so
a game of pickup

20 mins on the elliptical set on cardio
some weights - all leg stuff
steam room

[Zonkerbl]

Volleyball was the only sport I had any talent for, but I simply could not serve, underhand or overhand. Lousy wrists and iffy shoulders.

[verbal8]

I picked up a pair of generic nikes at Modell's last night. $50.

Then went to the Y and got in one pickup game before the
gym got turned over to the volleyball folks. Actually was
2-2 from the floor although my team lost.

I'm hoping to get up there for games on a semi-reg basis.

Thursday is Volleyball night. Wednesday sometimes is the adult league(if there is a season running). I think the other nights usually have at least a few people. Friday lunchtime usually has a pretty good turn-out.

[dobrojim]

I picked up a pair of generic nikes at Modell's last night. $50.

Then went to the Y and got in one pickup game before the
gym got turned over to the volleyball folks. Actually was
2-2 from the floor although my team lost.

I'm hoping to get up there for games on a semi-reg basis.

Thursday is Volleyball night. Wednesday sometimes is the adult league(if there is a season running). I think the other nights usually have at least a few people. Friday lunchtime usually has a pretty good turn-out.

since I work in Bethesda, lunchtime ain't happening for me.
There is a Y just down the street that might have lunchtime
games though.

I heard about a league which might be something I should look into,
especially if they have a league that caters to old farts or under 6 ft,
not that I mind much playing against real competition. But I'll probably
try to get up there on some of the other nights, at least partly because
my daughter should get in more court time. Since I've now gone to the
trouble and expense of joining, I need to get up there more than 1x a week.

[dobrojim]

Race day tomorrow - 8k from Freedom Plaza 9am.
Huge field. Should be a nice morning.

[LyricalRico]

Alright, time to start getting in shape for summer basketball on the blacktop. Gonna break out my Billy Blanks DVD tomorrow!

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

My routine is working well. My body is getter stronger and harder with much more lean muscle mass.

--First, I start the day off taking a multivitamin. (GNC MegaMens)
--Next, I take a protein supplement. (CytoSports CytoGainer--amazing stuff!)
--After that I go to my local fitness facility.
--To warm up, I shoot around for 15-20 minutes. This is always fun.
--Occasionally, I skip rope during or after shooting. Tired legs but keeping form is when I know I am warming up.
--Prior to my workout, I rehydrate with Cytomax. This takes lactic acid out of muscles and give complex carbs needed for higher endurance workout.
--I hit core first. Crunches on a Swiss ball, oblique twists, Roman chair lifts. Easily my weakest area, however, l am making good improvements.
--I do 45mins-1 hour of circuit weights. The CytoGainer really has improved my srrength. About 4 months ago, I could only do the stack (not the free weights) on the bench (290) barely once. Now, 3 sets of 10 reps is easy. I am working to do 5 sets. I am 50, but I believe my leg press is as good as when I was 30. I have a long way to but I feel great. I also do pushups and dips.
-- After weights, I do fat burn/cardio on the treadmill, or elliptical, or stationary bike.
--After that, If I got there really early or if I don't have to work, I take my tired body to the hot spa. This effectively stretches my legs and aids recovery.
--Last, I jump in the pool. I do a a very few laps. It's a terrific cool down and it invigorates me.

The above I obviously modify as time doesn't always allow 2 to 3 hours a day, but its what works for me.

My STRUGGLE is to eat right. I have gotten much stronger and fitter, but I don't see the desired weight loss due to sporadic relapses in diet. But I do feel tremendous!

Induveca, I know I would benefit by having a trainer.

What I will do in the next month, probably, is order P90x.

I know I am going to get there.

[Induveca]

CCJ, that's awesome.

Best part is it sounds like you're in the zone where you are truly enjoying working out! Once the pain and difficulties of lifting go away, and gains are seen weightlifting becomes just as much of a game as playing basketball, just as I stated once the opponent is your last workout.

In terms of eating right, time can be an issue obviously when traveling/working late etc. As long as you are improving and getting healthy you don't have to shoot for the perfect physique....just a healthy one!

I do my best to eat right 5 days a week. The other two days I always have a bottle of wine and a nice dinner out, and maybe even a burger. Honestly once you build up enough muscle most metabolisms go plenty fast enough to tolerate this. Especially if you're doing cardio/weights.

Congrats! Keep it going.

[NbdyBeatsTheWiz]

The above I obviously modify as time doesn't always allow 2 to 3 hours a day, but its what works for me.

My STRUGGLE is to eat right. I have gotten much stronger and fitter, but I don't see the desired weight loss due to sporadic relapses in diet. But I do feel tremendous!

Induveca, I know I would benefit by having a trainer.

What I will do in the next month, probably, is order P90x.

I know I am going to get there.

CCJ, you'll love P90X. I'm as busy as can be with a 40 hr a week job + running a youth ministry (probably 20-30 hrs a week easy), so my ONLY complaint is finding 75-90 minutes to work out 6 days a week. A lot of time its 10-11:30om or something indecent like that. But if you're already doing 2-3 hours most days, it'll be a breeze for you.

But the workouts themselves are great, and I'm about 70 days in and the results are legit. 26 and in the best shape of my life. All you really need is a pullup bar, some bands (or dumbells if you can afford a set), and a yoga mat. I bailed on my gym membership a couple weeks ago and will be saving money which is a huge plus on top of everything else.

And I'd the diet isn't so much a "diet" as it is a guide of what to eat (unless you're used to eating HUGE portions). The Island Pork Tenderloins in the recipe book will change your life!

Anyways, as you can tell, I'm a fan. Is it a fad? You could call it that. But it's a fad more people should be doing, especially with the health of most Americans. The thing flat out works.

[NbdyBeatsTheWiz]

I do my best to eat right 5 days a week. The other two days I always have a bottle of wine and a nice dinner out, and maybe even a burger. Honestly once you build up enough muscle most metabolisms go plenty fast enough to tolerate this. Especially if you're doing cardio/weights.

Congrats! Keep it going.

Pretty random, but I read somewhere LLCoolJ (say what you like about the guy, but you can't argue the fact he's ripped) cheats on his diet every other weekend and eats as he likes, then gets back to eating right for two weeks. I've been doing something similar, and its bearable. You appreciate the "bad" food when you eat it too!

[Induveca]

NbdyBeatstheWiz, you're definitely right. I just gorged on an Indian dinner, and went out for some wine last night.

Tomorrow? Right back to the gym/swimming and protein shakes, grilled chicken and salads. Not a big deal, but the Indian food was damn good tonight!

When eating healthy feels less like a curse, it's easier to stick to it for life.

[pancakes3]

after a marathon session of pickup games this weekend, i can barely get out of bed this morning.

[dobrojim]

8k St Paddy's day race report
35:12 for 14th out of 153 men age 50-54
255th out of 2367 men overall.

71% age-graded score which projects to a 3:23 marathon (that won't
be happening and is probably dangerous to even think about).

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

CCJ, that's awesome.

Best part is it sounds like you're in the zone where you are truly enjoying working out! Once the pain and difficulties of lifting go away, and gains are seen weightlifting becomes just as much of a game as playing basketball, just as I stated once the opponent is your last workout.

In terms of eating right, time can be an issue obviously when traveling/working late etc. As long as you are improving and getting healthy you don't have to shoot for the perfect physique....just a healthy one!

I do my best to eat right 5 days a week. The other two days I always have a bottle of wine and a nice dinner out, and maybe even a burger. Honestly once you build up enough muscle most metabolisms go plenty fast enough to tolerate this. Especially if you're doing cardio/weights.

Congrats! Keep it going.

Thanks for the encouragement, Induveca!

I will use that last workout/opponent as motivation. Also, you're on point about so much. It is definitely better to focus on what's right about improving my health and not on physique flaws. Shooting for an ideal physique gets to be stressful and counterproductive for me. And about the diet, it is lot about time and for me, meal planning and discipline. I think cheat days is a very balanced approach. Last, I am feeling the benefits of a higher metabolism and I'm really stoked to keep packing on the lean muscle mass and improving my fitness level more and more.

I enjoy this thread and thank you, Induveca, and others.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

The above I obviously modify as time doesn't always allow 2 to 3 hours a day, but its what works for me.

My STRUGGLE is to eat right. I have gotten much stronger and fitter, but I don't see the desired weight loss due to sporadic relapses in diet. But I do feel tremendous!

Induveca, I know I would benefit by having a trainer.

What I will do in the next month, probably, is order P90x.

I know I am going to get there.

CCJ, you'll love P90X. I'm as busy as can be with a 40 hr a week job + running a youth ministry (probably 20-30 hrs a week easy), so my ONLY complaint is finding 75-90 minutes to work out 6 days a week. A lot of time its 10-11:30om or something indecent like that. But if you're already doing 2-3 hours most days, it'll be a breeze for you.

But the workouts themselves are great, and I'm about 70 days in and the results are legit. 26 and in the best shape of my life. All you really need is a pullup bar, some bands (or dumbells if you can afford a set), and a yoga mat. I bailed on my gym membership a couple weeks ago and will be saving money which is a huge plus on top of everything else.

And I'd the diet isn't so much a "diet" as it is a guide of what to eat (unless you're used to eating HUGE portions). The Island Pork Tenderloins in the recipe book will change your life!

Anyways, as you can tell, I'm a fan. Is it a fad? You could call it that. But it's a fad more people should be doing, especially with the health of most Americans. The thing flat out works.

Congratulations on your success with P90x, NBTW!

Even more than that, NBTW, I applaud your work with the youth ministry. The laborers are few. What you're doing is so awesome because youth are dealing with so much these days. Your after work sacrifice qualifies you as one whose light shines brightly. Thanks for giving that kind of time to others. It is good P90X saves your tIme.

Personally, I like my gym routine for connections I make. I love shooting around and swimming. Also, I am not convinced I will stick out the 90 days of six days a week P90X requires. I want the results, but am I committed? That is why I have waited. But you have given me food for thought.

Pork tenderloins? Man, that sounds tasty about now! I had oatmeal, grapefruit, healthy stuff today--about to do some salad and a little white tuna.

[dobrojim]

National Marathon this morning - not an especially good run for me
but still a solid performance it being a Boston Qualifier (only since
I'm an old fart).

41st in my age-group (171)

3:42

Main thing was by running strategically, I avoided walking. If I hadn't
had to stop twice in the portajohns for 'nature breaks' I might have
gone under 3:40. Waiting to get the splits.

lots of runners were not happy about the lack of consistent mile markers.
Makes it kinda hard to pace yourself without that. Like if you were lifting
and the weights were of unknown mass.

[nate33]

Pretty damn impressive dobro. Qualifying for Boston on a "not especially good run". Congrats.

I'm just starting to ramp up the running after hibernating this winter. I've ran every other day for 10 days now, usually going about 4 miles. My pace is still pretty fast (typically hold between 7:15 and 7:30 after warming up at about an 8:20 pace) but my endurance isn't there yet.

Plan to go 6 miles tomorrow morning.